Enemy Ace: War in Heaven Complete (2-Part Graphic Novel)

(2001), with art by Chris Weston and Russ Heath, is graphic novel published as a 2-part serial in June 2001. Also released as a softcover trade paperback (TPB), it revives the first American fictional comic book character whose story is told from the enemy point of view, Germany's best fighter pilot of World War I, Rittmeister Hans Von Hammer, a.k.a. "The Hammer of Hell." This graphic novel recounts the pilot's activities during World War II where he is persuaded to once again fight as a pilot of the Luftwaffe. Here Von Hammer's character and story arc is based on several real-life German pilots', notably Adolf Galland. Garth Ennis had the difficult task of writing what was essentially a sequel, in a different time period, and he succeeds. He was able to break free of the stereotyping mindset of the pop-culture media--including comics--and presents Enemy Ace as a paradox: Von Hammer is still a German who kills Americans and America's allies. Yet, readers can admire Von Hammer for his courage and remarkable abilities.

From 1914 to 1918, Hans Von Hammer earned the nickname "The Hammer of Hell" in the bloody skies of World War I. Now it's World War II, and blood rains from the skies once again! Von Hammer, the finest pilot Germany has ever known, is now a 46-year-old man with plenty of enemies in the Nazi regime. With a special surprise appearance by another iconic DC Comics character at the end! --

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